The Seattle Seahawks didn't come out of their 24-14 wild-card win at Washington without a big loss. Versatile defensive end Chris Clemons tore the ACL in his left knee, which will require season-ending surgery.

Clemons led the Seahawks with 11 1/2 sacks in the regular season, and he also is a good weakside run defender. At 31, Clemons is one of the team’s most consistent players, leaving head coach Pete Carroll with less veteran stability.

"He's been a great leader for us, too, and a tough dude," Carroll told reporters Monday. "He's a guy we have just become very comfortable playing with. So we'll miss the heck out of him."

With Clemens on the shelf, rookie first-round pick Bruce Irvin will have a bigger role, starting with Sunday's divisional playoff matchup in Atlanta. Irvin has made a splash as a situational pass rusher (eight sacks) but is vulnerable against the edge running game. Carroll also suggested fellow rookie end Greg Scruggs, a seventh-rounder, will be in the mix.

The Falcons' pass protection has been pretty good this season for quarterback Matt Ryan. Their 28 sacks allowed was tied for seventh-fewest in the NFL during the regular season. Irvin will be a concern for Atlanta, but Clemons' absence will be felt by the Seahawks on all three downs.